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IUPAC name: EtheneMelting point:-169.2°C Boiling point: -104°C Density in natural state:Gas density (1.013 bar at boiling point) : 2.085 kg/m3 Gas density (1.013 bar and 15 °C (59 °F)) : 1.178 kg/m3 Molar mass:28.05316 g/mol Molecular weight:28.05 g/mol
Where is it found? How is it obtained?
Ethylene is made by steam cracking. This process happens when gaseous hydrocarbons are temporarily heated to 750–950 °C. This creates many harsh reactions to happen. During steam cracking, large hydrocarbons end up being broken down and surrounded by smaller hydrocarbons. Another process used in oil refineries take large hydrocarbon molecules and "crack" them into smaller ones. This organic compound is also found to be contained in plants. It acts as a natural hormone for plants and many fruits. Ethylene is found in most living tissues. Most terrestrial mammals exhale small amounts of Ethylene. In animals, Ethylene is not considered a hormone. In plants, it is. Ethylene helps promote ripening, induces fruit abscission, speeds the flowering process, promotes seed germination and root initiation, and induces vegetative dwarfing.
The structure
Ethylene has covalent bonding (the sharing of pairs of electrons between atoms). This hydrocarbon has four hydrogen atoms bonded to a pair of carbon atoms that are connected by a double bond. Two carbons are double bonded together, with two hydrogens on each carbon. All six atoms that make Ethylene are trigonal planar . The H-C-H angle is 119°. The H-C=C angle is 120°. The double bond in the Ethylene molecule is responsible for its useful reactivity.
Percentage Composition by Number of Atoms Carbon - 2/6 = 33.33% Hydrogen - 4/6 = 66.67%
Percentage Composition by Mass of Atoms Carbon - 2 mol C * (12.01 g / mol C) = 24.02 g / 28.06 g = 86% Hydrogen - 4 mol H * (1.01 g / mol H) = 4.04 g / 28.06 g =14%
Chemical properties/ Reaction tendencies?
Ethylene has a few major reactions. They are:
1) polymerization polymerization is a process of reacting monomer molecules together. This causes a chemical reaction that forms polymer chains.
2) oxidation
Oxidation is a reaction where the atoms in an element lose electrons.
3) halogenation and hydrohalogenation A chemical reaction that attracts a halogen atom into a molecule.
4) alkylation Alkylation the transfer of an alkyl group from one molecule to another.
5) hydration A chemical reaction where a hydroxyl group and one proton are added to a compound.
6) oligomerization
A chemical reaction that results in a chain transfer.
7) hydroformylation
Ethylene can react with numerous other chemicals to produce ethanol, solvents, gasoline additives, antifreeze, detergents, and many plastics.
Uses
Ethylene reacts with numerous other chemicals to produce ethanol, solvents, gasoline additives, antifreeze, detergents, and many plastics.
In plants, ethylene is used as a hormone that speeds growth and promotes leaf fall and fruit ripening.
Ethylene is also used in aluminum welding. See aluminum welding excerpt above right.
Commercial Issues
Ethylene shortens shelf life of many fruits. Exposure to Ethylene speeds up the ripening process causing fruit to be "unsellable" at a faster pace.
Historical
Ethylene was discovered by Johann Joachim Becher. He conducted an experiment where he heated ethanol with sulfuric acid. Four Dutch chemists studied the properties of ethylene in 1795. Johann Rudolph Deimann, Adrien Paets van Troostwyck, Anthoni Lauwerenburgh and Nicolas Bondt found that Ethylene is different from hydrogen gas. It contains both carbon and hydrogen, two carbon atoms and four Hydrogen atoms.
"Ethylene: Definition from Answers.com." Answers.com: Wiki Q&A Combined with Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Encyclopedias. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.answers.com/topic/ethylene>.
Table of Contents
C2H4
Jody Gazda
"Ethylene is the most produced organic compound in the world.
Global production of ethylene exceeded 107 million tonnes in 2005." [source1]
IUPAC name: Ethene Melting point:-169.2°C
Boiling point: -104°C
Density in natural state:Gas density (1.013 bar at boiling point) : 2.085 kg/m3 Gas density (1.013 bar and 15 °C (59 °F)) : 1.178 kg/m3
Molar mass:28.05316 g/mol
Molecular weight:28.05 g/mol
Where is it found? How is it obtained?
Ethylene is made by steam cracking. This process happens when gaseous hydrocarbons are temporarily heated to 750–950 °C. This creates many harsh reactions to happen. During steam cracking, large hydrocarbons end up being broken down and surrounded by smaller hydrocarbons. Another process used in oil refineries take large hydrocarbon molecules and "crack" them into smaller ones.This organic compound is also found to be contained in plants. It acts as a natural hormone for plants and many fruits.
Ethylene is found in most living tissues. Most terrestrial mammals exhale small amounts of Ethylene. In animals, Ethylene is not considered a hormone. In plants, it is. Ethylene helps promote ripening, induces fruit abscission, speeds the flowering process, promotes seed germination and root initiation, and induces vegetative dwarfing.
The structure
Ethylene has covalent bonding (the sharing of pairs of electrons between atoms). This hydrocarbon has four hydrogen atoms bonded to a pair of carbon atoms that are connected by a double bond. Two carbons are double bonded together, with two hydrogens on each carbon. All six atoms that make Ethylene are trigonal planar . The H-C-H angle is 119°. The H-C=C angle is 120°. The double bond in the Ethylene molecule is responsible for its useful reactivity.Percentage Composition by Number of Atoms
Carbon - 2/6 = 33.33%
Hydrogen - 4/6 = 66.67%
Percentage Composition by Mass of Atoms
Carbon - 2 mol C * (12.01 g / mol C) = 24.02 g / 28.06 g = 86%
Hydrogen - 4 mol H * (1.01 g / mol H) = 4.04 g / 28.06 g =14%
Chemical properties/ Reaction tendencies?
Ethylene has a few major reactions. They are:
1) polymerization
polymerization is a process of reacting monomer molecules together. This causes a chemical reaction that forms polymer chains.
2) oxidation
Oxidation is a reaction where the atoms in an element lose electrons.
3) halogenation and hydrohalogenation
A chemical reaction that attracts a halogen atom into a molecule.
4) alkylation
Alkylation the transfer of an alkyl group from one molecule to another.
5) hydration
A chemical reaction where a hydroxyl group and one proton are added to a compound.
6) oligomerization
A chemical reaction that results in a chain transfer.
7) hydroformylation
Ethylene can react with numerous other chemicals to produce
ethanol, solvents, gasoline additives,
antifreeze, detergents, and many plastics.
Uses
Ethylene reacts with numerous other chemicals to produce
ethanol, solvents, gasoline additives,
antifreeze, detergents, and many plastics.
In plants, ethylene is used as a
hormone that speeds growth and promotes leaf fall and fruit ripening.
Ethylene is also used in aluminum welding. See aluminum welding excerpt above right.
Commercial Issues
Ethylene shortens shelf life of many fruits. Exposure to Ethylene speeds up the ripening process causing fruit to be "unsellable" at a faster pace.Historical
Ethylene was discovered by Johann Joachim Becher. He conducted an experiment where he heated ethanol with sulfuric acid. Four Dutch chemists studied the properties of ethylene in 1795. Johann Rudolph Deimann, Adrien Paets van Troostwyck, Anthoni Lauwerenburgh and Nicolas Bondt found that Ethylene is different from hydrogen gas. It contains both carbon and hydrogen, two carbon atoms and four Hydrogen atoms.SOURCES-LEARN MORE AT:
"Ethylene." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene>."Ethylene Gas C2H4." Mindfully.org | Mindfully Green. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ethylene-Gas.htm>.
"Ethylene: Definition from Answers.com." Answers.com: Wiki Q&A Combined with Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Encyclopedias. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.answers.com/topic/ethylene>.
Eramo, By. "Ethylene, Propylene Demand Will Experience Increased Growth in 2005- 10 - Science News - RedOrbit." RedOrbit â Science, Space, Technology, Health News and Information. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/348609/ethylene_propylene_demand_will_experience_increased_growth_in_2005_10/>.
"Where Is Ethylene Found?" Free Answers - IsFAQ.com. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.isfaq.com/science/77081.html>.
"Ethylene in Fruit Physiology (PC98M)." Postharvest Information Network Home, WSU Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://postharvest.tfrec.wsu.edu/pgDisplay.php?article=PC98M>.
"Chemistry Tutorial : Properties, Uses & Production of Ethene." AUS-e-TUTE for Astute Science Students. Web. 01 Nov. 2010. <http://www.ausetute.com.au/ethene.html>.